bother

be in a spot of bother

To be in a position of trouble, danger, difficulty, or unpleasantness, usually one which is not severe. I am in a spot of bother with this essay. I just can't seem to get the first paragraph right.He's been in a spot of bother ever since his business partner ran off with the pension funds.

have a spot of bother

To have a small amount of trouble, difficulty, or unpleasantness with some task, thing, or person. You might have a spot of bother finding a job after college, but you should never give up!Joe had a spot of bother accepting Mary's newfound success.

can't be bothered

Unwilling or disinclined to make the effort necessary to do or accomplish something. (Used in the present and past tenses almost interchangeably.) I can't be bothered to clean all those dishes after dinner, so I'll just leave them in the sink until the morning.A: "Did you go to Sarah's party last night?" B: "Nah, couldn't be bothered."

bother about (something)

To expend one's energy considering or addressing some issue. Often used in the negative to convey the opposite. Oh, don't bother about that commotion—things are always falling off the shelves in our basement.

bother (one's) (pretty little) head about (something)

To worry or concern oneself with something. Often used in the negative to encourage someone not to worry. When the adjectives "pretty little" are used before "head," the phrase can become patronizing or derisive. I think this issue will resolve itself quickly, so I'm not going to bother my head about it.Oh, don't you bother your pretty little head about the chaos in the kitchen—go back to watching TV.

bother with (someone or something)

1. To expend one's energy addressing a particular person or issue. Often used in the negative to convey the opposite. Don't bother with Billy—he just doesn't care about his grades, and no rewards, threats, or suggestions have helped.Oh, don't bother with all that stuff, I'll put it away.

2. To irritate someone by involving them in a particular issue. In this usage, a noun or pronoun is used between "bother" and "with." He needs to stop bothering me with these complaints about the computer system because there's nothing I can do to fix the problem.

let alone

1. verb To stop bothering someone or something. A noun or pronoun can be used between "let" and "alone." Why do you keep picking at that scab on your knee? Let it alone already!For the last time, let your brother alone—he needs to study!

2. expression Not to mention. The phrase is used to emphasize that if other more significant or pressing things are not possible or cannot be accommodated, a lesser thing certainly is not or cannot either. I hardly had time to brush my teeth this morning, let alone do my hair!We can't afford a vacation, let alone a trip to Disney World.

not bothered

1. Uninterested, unmotivated, or disinclined. Primarily heard in UK. It's clear that members of government aren't bothered to put protection in place for workers stuck in a cycle of short-term contracts.If you're not bothered to do the work properly, then you can find a job elsewhere.

2. Impartial; having no preference one way or another. Primarily heard in UK. We could have pizza for dinner, but I'm not bothered if you want something else.

bother about something

bother one's (pretty little) head about someone or something

Rur. to worry about something. (Stereotypically polite Southern talk to a woman; often said facetiously or patronizingly.) Now, don't bother your pretty little head about all this.Don't bother your head about me.

bother someone with someone or something

and bother someone about someone or something

to annoy someone with someone or something; to worry someone about someone or something. (Either a physical annoyance or a mental annoyance.) Don't bother me with that!Don't bother yourself about the bill. I'll pay it.

go to the bother

go to the trouble (of doing something)

and go to the trouble (to do something); go to the bother (of doing something); go to the bother (to do something)

to endure the effort or bother of doing something. I really don't want to go to the trouble to cook.Should I go to the bother of cooking something for her to eat?Don't go to the trouble. She can eat a sandwich.

(It) doesn't bother me any.

and (It) doesn't bother me at all.

It does not trouble me at all.; I have no objection. (Compare this with (It) don't bother me none. Not very polite or cordial. See also (It) won't bother me any. for the future tense of this expression.) John: Do you mind if I sit here? Jane: Doesn't bother me any.Sally (smoking a cigarette): Do you mind if I smoke? Bill: It doesn't bother me any.

(It) don't bother me none.

Inf. It does not affect me one way or the other.; It doesn't bother me any. (Familiar and ungrammatical. Sometimes used for effect.) John: Mind if I sit here? Bob: It don't bother me none.Mary: Can I smoke? Bill: Don't bother me none.

(It) won't bother me any.

and (It) won't bother me at all.

Inf. It will not trouble me at all.; I have no objection if you wish to do that. (Not very polite or cordial. For the present tense of this expression, see also (It) doesn't bother me any.) John: Will you mind if I sit here? Jane: Won't bother me any.Sally (lighting a cigarette): Do you mind if I smoke? Bill: It won't bother me at all.

let alone someone or something

not to mention or think of someone or something; not even to take someone or something into account. (Fixed order.) Do I have a dollar? I don't even have a dime, let alone a dollar.I didn't invite John, let alone the rest of his family.

go to the trouble

Also, take the trouble; go to the bother or the expense . Make the effort or spend the money for something. For example, He went to the trouble of calling every single participant, or She took the trouble to iron all the clothes, or Don't go to the bother of writing them, or They went to the expense of hiring a limousine. [Second half of 1800s] Also see put oneself out.

let alone

hot and bothered

If someone gets hot and bothered about something, they become very upset or worried about it. Sir Terence was astonished that everybody had got so hot and bothered about the affair.The boss was asking for you earlier. He sounded hot and bothered. Note: You usually use this expression when you want to suggest that someone is getting upset about something unimportant.

hot and bothered

let aˈlone

used after a statement to emphasize that because the first thing is not true or possible, the next thing cannot be true or possible either: I wouldn’t speak to him, let alone trust him or lend him money. ♢ She didn’t even apologize, let alone offer to pay for the damage.

can’t be bothered (to do something)

(British English, informal) not willing to make the effort (to do something): I got home so late last night that I couldn’t be bothered to cook dinner. ♢ He didn’t have an excuse for not coming to the party — he just couldn’t be bothered.

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